If you can only buy one bottle of the BTAC...

I've just discovered that a local liquor store has the complete BTAC collection in stock. I was shocked, because I haven't seen any of the products in this area before. Well, they're 64.99 each and I certainly can't afford the entire collection, and I haven't even had the opportunity to try any version of any of them, except Eagle Rare.

Re: If you can only buy one bottle of the BTAC...

Re: If you can only buy one bottle of the BTAC...

George T. Stagg: Well, you now the hype -- do you wish to know the reason?

Thomas Handy/Sazerac Rye: It's a first-year issue, and a damned good one.

W.Larue Weller: I know that the 'suits' say it's Stitzel-Weller, and that might have been the original intention, but I believe it is not. Awfully good -- better than the original -- nonetheless. Also, the rarest of the 2006 lot.

Eagle Rare: When it's great, it's almost insurpassable. The '06 is near-great -- and 90 proof.

Sazerac 18yo Rye: Not sure that Buffalo Trace even distilled this. How much do you really like rye -- the grain, I mean, not the whiskey? Because it can be one-dimensional.

To make matters worse, I offer no conclusions, just context. Pick your poison.

Re: If you can only buy one bottle of the BTAC...

Well, I don't agree with the suits very often and I guess I need to drink more of the Weller, but it sure struck me as SW. My palate is no where near as refined as Tim's, but all I am going to say is if BT can make wheat that good we don't need to fret the loss of SW whiskey as much. I need to get another bottle before it is gone because the only one I bought is up in Oregon. Regardless if you can get only 1 it has to be one of the barrel proof bottlings just to get your moneys worth!

Either the Stagg or the Weller, maybe flip a coin. I wouldn't recommend the Handy just because it is still a rye and may not be to your liking if Rye isn't your cup of tea...

C

"everybody defamates from miles away
but face to face
they haven't got a thing to say"

Re: If you can only buy one bottle of the BTAC...

Originally Posted by ggilbertva

Weller has my vote.

My sentiments as well. Personally, I favor wheaters. At 22 barrels of total production, get one quickly.

Now, if I were a Rye man, I would say the Handy.....and, to have one from the first year run is awfully tempting. Due to only 24 barrels of production, this bottle as well is destined for increasing value and scarcity in the near future. Demand will likely outstrip supply at a faster pace than the other members of the Collection - except for the Weller. Recall, the first Stagg and Weller - where can even 1 of these bottles now be had?

Re: If you can only buy one bottle of the BTAC...

You won't go wrong with any one that you choose, but I'd go with Stagg. The reason why I love this bourbon so much, is that you can do so much with it depending if you try it neat, with a drop of water, a little more water, a lot of water, maybe ice....Geeze, you probably can add a little water to your empty glass from the night before, and STILL get a fine drink! The flavor just keeps hammering through. Just AWESOME!
Have fun!!
JOE